STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3989

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 783, 566, 567, 757, 689

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 783, 566, 567, 757, and 689, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Early Learning Board

G.M. No. 783	BENJAMIN NAKI III, for a term to expire 06-30-2025;
G.M. No. 566	KAIULANI LAEHA, for a term to expire 06-30-2022;
G.M. No. 567	KAIULANI LAEHA, for a term to expire 06-30-2024;
G.M. No. 757	MEGAN MCCORRISTON, for a term to expire 06-30-2024; and
G.M. No. 689	MEI OU, for a term to expire 06-30-2024,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Benjamin Naki III, Kaiulani Laeha, Megan McCorriston, and Mei Ou for service on the Early Learning Board.

BENJAMIN NAKI III

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Benjamin Naki III from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Early Learning Board, and Parents And Children Together.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Naki is presently the Vice President of Early Education Programs for Parents And Children Together and has previous work experience as a Program Director, Assistant Director, Comprehensive Services Manager, Family Services Coordinator, and Father Facilitator for Parents And Children Together.

Your Committee further finds that Mr. Naki is an accomplished leader who has a clear understanding of the needs of the community and the importance of early education. His extensive experience in Head Start, Early Head Start, center-based preschool, and home visiting provides Mr. Naki with an overall understanding of the strengths and limitations of each model. In his personal statement, Mr. Naki acknowledged the need and responsibility to ensure that the neighbor islands have a strong voice on matters within the purview of the Early Learning Board. Your Committee notes that Mr. Naki's reappointment will continue to fulfill the requirement for a representative of a head start provider agency pursuant to section 302L-1.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Your Committee believes that Mr. Naki's professional experience, as well as his steadfast commitment to the children and families of Hawaii, will be great assets to the Early Learning Board, and therefore recommends that Benjamin Naki III be reappointed to the Board based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to early childhood education.

KAIULANI LAEHA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment and reappointment of Kaiulani Laeha from the Executive Office on Early Learning; Early Learning Board; and ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, Inc.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Laeha is currently the Chief Executive Officer of ‘Aha Pūnana Leo, Inc., a provider of early education and childcare in the Hawaiian language. In this capacity, Ms. Laeha oversees fourteen licensed childcare facilities across the State. She has served on the Early Learning Board as an interim member filling the Hawaiian medium early learning provider seat, and her appointment would continue to fulfill that requirement.

Your Committee further finds that Ms. Laeha previously served as a Development Manager for Kupu and has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector. Ms. Laeha is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in business administration.

In her personal statement, Ms. Laeha noted the importance of filling the Director position for the Early Learning Board to aid the Board in fulfilling its statutory duties. She also noted her ability to objectively serve all children and their families in early learning while also representing the distinct interests of the Hawaiian Language Medium Early Learning providers. Ms. Laeha has served as an Early Learning Board member for half a year and was previously involved as a community member, making her knowledgeable in the role and responsibilities of board members.

Your Committee believes that Ms. Laeha's professional and personal experience, as well as her knowledge and experience related to Hawaiian Language Medium Early Learning providers, will be great assets to the Early Learning Board, and therefore recommends Kaiulani Laeha for service on the Board.

MEGAN MCCORRISTON

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Megan McCorriston from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Kualapu‘u School Public Conversion Charter, Early Learning Board, Children's Action Network Speaks!, Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation and Henry & Dorothy Castle Memorial Fund, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that Ms. McCorriston has twenty years of public and private sector experience in education and has been the Chief Executive Officer of Seagull Schools since 2018. In this capacity, Ms. McCorriston has oversight of Seagull Schools' five Early Education Centers and Adult Day Center. She holds graduate and doctoral degrees in Education from the University of Oxford in England. Ms. McCorriston began her career as a classroom educator and transitioned to education administration and leadership within the State and abroad. She is a published researcher in the field of comparative and international education, and an experienced non-profit consultant.

Your Committee further finds that Ms. McCorriston is an active member of the National Association of the Education of Young Children and Child Care Business Coalition in Hawai‘i. She has been a tireless advocate of education as a means for social justice for over twenty years. In her personal statement Ms. McCorriston notes that affordability and workforce capacity are among the toughest challenges facing the early learning sector in Hawaii. Your Committee notes that Ms. McCorriston's service would fulfill the requirement for a representative of a center-based program provider.

Your Committee believes that Ms. McCorriston's broad and deep professional experience, as well as her knowledge and experience related to center-based early learning, will be great assets to the Early Learning Board, and therefore recommends Megan McCorriston for service on the Board.

MEI OU

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Mei Ou from the Executive Office on Early Learning, Early Learning Board, Family Hui Hawaii, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Ou is currently a Support Manager with Family Hui Hawaii, which provides a broad range of early learning services in the State. Ms. Ou has two decades of experience in childcare and early learning. She holds an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor's degree in Family Resources, and a Master's degree in Education.

Your Committee further finds that as the parent representative on the Early Learning Board, Ms. Ou will serve with passion and energy. In her personal statement, Ms. Ou emphasized the importance of the parent perspective in early learning education, and that understanding the needs of both child and parent is critical to early learning success and building a solid foundation for the future.

Your Committee believes that Mei Ou will bring valuable experience, knowledge, and perspective to the Early Learning Board, and therefore recommends her for service on the Board.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair